RE: Intelligent Design Is Creationism in a Cheap Tuxedo

From: Wendee Holtcamp (wendee@greendzn.com)
Date: Wed Jun 05 2002 - 23:08:45 EDT

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    Walt wrote:
    > It is also true that science (nowadays -- not so much in the past) is
    > completely
    > incapable of anything other than 100% naturalism.

    Can you give an example of in the past when science employed something other
    than 100% naturalism? The only thing I know of is that early scientists did
    not have problems discussing God in their reporting of their science --
    specifically in the conclusions they drew, and maybe in developing the
    hypotheses. But I'd be very curious if you had any info on examples where
    early scientists actually somehow used "other than" naturalism. I'm not even
    sure how that would work.

    If God ever did act
    > in time or
    > space, today's science would have to deny it no matter what the

    I'm not sure why we all have so much difficulty with this. To me, I recently
    came to a "revelation" that I'd never heard anyone mention before. We all
    accept that Jesus was 100% God (supernatural) and 100% human (natural). Why
    then, do we have any trouble accepting the idea that what science reveals
    about the unfoldings of the universe (creation, history, even some miracles)
    may have both a 100% natural explanation simultaneously with a 100%
    supernatural hand of God involved. Its a paradox and a mystery, but no more
    difficult to grasp than the dual nature of Jesus.

    An example from the Bible is how the "wind" separated the Red Sea for Moses
    and the Israelites passage through. God's literal hand did not come down for
    all to see. He definitely was involved, but so was the wind. And that itself
    allowed room for faith to work (or not work, as it was for many of the
    Israelites) to believe the miracle or deny it. Many people wonder how the
    Israelites could lose faith SO quick after such a big miracle, but it makes
    perfect sense to me because all they saw was the wind parting the sea, they
    went through, the enemies were all killed, and WOW that was amazing, but
    then they didn't really see God's involvement, and Gosh now they think they
    are going to starve in the desert!

    > Naturalism refuses to accept that any description other than
    > functions of x, y, z,
    > and t are allowable --

    I don't know that is entirely correct. If scientists discovered a dimension
    outside x,y,z, and t (time I'm presuming?) that had evidence for it, they
    would accept it. I don't have any doubt that if ID had any actual evidence
    it would (or will) eventually make its way into scientific journals. If its
    believers believe in it enough, and try normal means of getting their
    science accepted (instead of waylaying people by using institutions and
    media and books and talks and radio shows). The only scientists that use the
    media to introduce their ideas (BEFORE peer review publication, that is) are
    those like the cold fusion and alchemy folks who in the end are frauds. If
    ID has any evidence, let them go the real peer review route. If indeed there
    is a "conspiracy" against it, and it is a real phenomenon, then they should
    be patient, surely God will come through in the end!

    > In my view, "naturalism" is in fact a religion,. It is the religious
    > belief, held by

    It can be, but its is not in and of itself.

    I find it quite odd and interesting that adamant atheists and certain
    Christians fall into the same category of believing that evolution and God
    are mutually exclusive! Hmm....

    My best,
    Wendee



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